THE FICKLE 
PROFESSOR 

ALICE GAY JUDD 



. TRRORY OF CONGRESS 

Hi 

016 103 ^^' JL 





PRICE 15 CENTS 



Eldridge Entertainment House 

Franklin, Ohio -- I>S?Tf ''JEfi?: 



944 S*. Lmwrntk StTMt 



Clever New Monologs 
and Recitations 

Monologs of Merit 

This we believe a splendid collection for elocution- 
ists or for schools. Contains many of the darky 
sketches of Blar.che Goodman which do not appear in 
the "Viney S!retches." Some noveTty readings by 
Lydia McGaughey are "The White-wash Angel," "A 
Pair of Boots," "Robert Joins the A. H. T. A.," "Rob- 
ert and the Auto," "Seven, Seventeen and Seventy," 
"In Grandma's Day," and others. Complete volume. 
7Sc- 

Help-U Dialog and Recitation Book 

By various authors and a real help to the teacher. 
Here are some of the dialogs: "A Strike Mother Goose 
Settled," "Casey's Twins," "A Lesson in Politeness," 
^Program for Roosevelt's Birthday," "Boy Wanted," 
"Heljiing Santa Claus," "Aunt Phoebe's Nerves," and 
many others. These are for all grades up to gram- 
mar. An abundance of choice recitations for all the 
grades. Price 40c. 

Merry Rhymes of Little Folks' Times 

By Margaret A. Fassitt. In this collection of choice 
Jj^'e gems we present 40 short poems which are real 

'Kiddie" talk. They can be used as recitations by 
little people or- as child impersonations by adults. By 
the way, they will make good reading for mothers 
and fathers at any time. "The Red Head," "Reflec- 
tions of a Pup," "I Wish I Had a Ginger Cake," 

When You Ask About Your Fixin's," "Our Twins," 
and many others will mr.ke you laugh. Price, 40c. 

Comforting Her Patient 

By Mrs. W. M. Carruth. Tells how an "impractical" 
nurse unloads her own and others' troubles on her 
helpless patient. A good number. Price 15c. 

Gossip in Slowville 

By E. Haskell. Depicts the sayings of the village gos- 
, *'P ^f " makes a very effective reading. Price 15c. 

T he Spinsterhood of Mary 

A humorous number by Rhoda Barclay. Tells of 

Mary s resolve to live and die an old maid and her 
sudden change of mind. Price, 15c. 

Mrs. Swattem Attends the Convention 

This monolog by Rhoda Barclay is an account of the 
many complaints of Mrs. Swattem while at the con- 
vention. Her sharp tongue wags industriously, if 
not truthfully. Price, 15c. 

Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN. OHIO also DENVER. COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



S^ 



The Fickle Professor 



(Being the Romance, in Pantomime, of a Fickle 
Professor, an Empty-headed Freshman, and an Erudite 
Junior.) 



A Pantomimed Reading 

By 
ALICE GAY JUDD 



Copyright 1922, Eldridge EntertainmeBt Hem*. 



PUBLISHED BY 

ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE 

Franklin, Ohio Denver, Colo. 

944 S. Logan St. 






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CHARACTERS : 

Marcus Aurelius Smythe, Professor 
Jane Long, Junior 
Maybelle Sweet, Freshman 
The Reader 



Costumes: — The Present Time. 

Stage Settings: — Representation of a lawn. 

DEC 30 \'Htl 

©CtO 63232 

TMP9t-CC6381 



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The Fickle Professor 



The Reader — This is a pantomime. A pantomime 
is a play where the actors do not talk, but where they 
make you understand what they are doing by their act- 
ing. But we were afraid you might not understand the 
acting, so we are reading you the story, while the actors 
interpret it. 

The actors in this pantomime (Actors enter as they 
are introduced, how woodct^ly and exit.) are Marcus 
Aurelius Smythe, Professor of the dead and dying lan- 
guages, in a perfectly respectable college for females. 
Maybelle Sweet, an up-to-the-minute freshman, who has 
absolutely nothing in her head, not even a shadow. Jane 
Long, an erudite Junior, whose feet, even, are heavy with 
learning. You have now been introduced to the charac- 
ters of our pantomime; so we will proceed to the story. 

One afternoon, Maybelle Sweet comes sauntering 
gracefully as a young gazelle, across the campus, and sits 
her down behind a tree, to attend to certain necessary 
duties connected with the make-up of her face. Profes- 
sor Smythe walks abroad upon the campus that same aft- 
ernoon, and meets Jane Long, whose feet are thought- 
fully taking her in the opposite direction. When Pro- 
fessor Smythe meets Jane, he perceives that she has a 
noble mind and no style; but he does not yet know that 
she has no style, not having thus far seen Maybelle Sweet. 
Just as the Professor comes opposite Jane, she stubs her 
toe and sinks gracefully at his feet, 

Maybelle is interrupted in her devotions by the dull 
thud of Jane's fall, and she peeps around the tree in time 
to see the rest of the act. The Professor is greatly em- 
barrassed by Jane's fall, but seeing such a noble damsel 
in distress, he helps her to arise. Jane also is greatly 
embarrassed, and stammers and blushes as she thanks 



The Fickle Professor 



the Professor, and then rushes madly away ; as madly as 
her heavy feet will carry her. 

The Professor gazes after her with awe upon his 
countenance, and when she is out of sight, he sighs and 
sighs, and clasps his heart, and looks all about to see if 
he can find some memento of his meeting with Jane. He 
finds the stone against which she stubbed her luckless 
toe, and, picking it up, he wraps it carefully in his hand- 
kerchief and puts it in the pocket nearest his heart. Then, 
he, too, passes on. 

Maybelle watches the Professor out of sight, and 
rocks herself back and forth with glee. All at once a 
thought enters her empty head, and she clasps her hand 
to it, to hold it, so that it will not get away. Taking out 
a noebook, she writes, with many a frown, for it is hard 
work to think, a flowery note to Jane, which she signs 
with the Professor's name, and a foolish note from Jane 
to the Professor which she signs with Jane's name. Then, 
putting them into envelopes, she addresses them, and 
rising, does a few dancing steps, and hurries gracefully 
away to mail her epistles. 

The next day comes Jane, tripping as lightly as her 
heavy feet will let her, happy smiles upon her face, por- 
ing over the Professor's letter. And from the opposite 
direction comes the Professor, his head bent low over 
Jane's letter, and from the third direction comes May- 
belle Sweet, slipping softly to hide behind a tree, to watch 
the effect of her one thought upon her victims. 

The Professor's head bent low over Jane's letter, 
Jane's eyes glued to the flowery epistle of the Professor, 
they come together with a shock, and stand staring fool- 
ishly at each other. Maybelle hugs herself with glee. 
The brilliant Jane and the guileless Professor stammer 
and bow and apologize, and finally the Professor invites 
Jane to sit with him upon a convenient bench. Jane gives 
him coy glances, and the Professor vigorously blows his 
nose, and crosses and uncrosses his legs, and twiddles his 
fingers, and finally he starts an engrossing conversation 
about the dead languages, which enthralls Jane, who lis- 



The Fickle Professor 



tens open-mouthed to his mighty wisdom. Finally, reluc- 
tantly, Jane says that she must go, and they walk slowly, 
slowly from sight. Maybelle Sweet creeps out from be- 
hind her tree, and dances away after them. 

Next morning comes the Professor, hurrying, look- 
ing quietly about as if afraid of being seen. From his 
pocket he slips a letter, reads it over carefully, looks 
about to see if anyone approaches, and hides it in the 
tree. Then he hurries away, guiltily as he came. 

Maybelle Sweet approaches stealthily, looks about, 
to see that no one sees her, hunts and finds the letter, 
reads it and returns it carefully to its place. Then, in 
roguish glee, she does an impromptu dance, until in the 
distance she espies the erudite Jane, whereupon she fades 
away. Presently arrives Jane, searches embarressedly 
until she finds the letter, reads it with simperings and 
blushes, and hurries away, her heavy feet thudding 
lightly on the ground. 

Late that afternoon comes the interested Maybelle to 
her place behind the tree. Soon the Professor is seen hur- 
rying along, anxiously scanning the landscape with his 
near-sighted eyes. Presently he espies Jane in the dis- 
tance and hurries to meet her, and leads her to a seat 
under the tree. Then spreading his handkerchief care- 
fully upon the ground, he falls gracefully on his knees 
upon it, and holding Jane's hands, he proposes to her. 
He grows very earnest, and waves his arms and beats 
his breast to assure Jane of the strength and reliability 
of his love. Jane listens with delight, and when he fin- 
ishes his fervid declaration, she throws her arms about 
his neck, and kisses him on both cheeks. This almost 
upsets the Professor, and it is with difficulty that he 
regains his feet, and seats Jane and then himself upon 
the bench. He puts his arm around her, and Jane puts 
her head on his shoulder and tries to look coyly at him. 

The Professor puts his hand in his pocket and takes 
out a little box, which he opens and shows to Jane. She 
clasps her hands in delight when she sees it, for it is a 
ring. The Professor then takes it out of the box and sol- 
emnly slips it on Jane's finger. 



The Fickle Professor 



He holds her hand tenderly and both admire it. Then 
Jane turns away from the Professor and holds her hand 
out and turns it about to watch the ring sparkle. Just 
at this critical moment, Maybelle Sweet sneez^as three 
times. The Professor is startled, and turns quickly in the 
direction of the noise, but Jane does not hear it, and con- 
tinues to admire her ring. 

When the Professor turns in the direction of the 
noise, he nnds Maybelle looking at him from behind the 
tree. He has never seen Maybelle before, and he in- 
stantly sees that she is very beautiful (like an empty- 
headed doll, only he does not know that). He instantly 
understands, also, that Jane is not beautiful, and she has 
no style such as Maybelle has, and he wonders how he 
ever could have fallen in love with her. Jane speaks to 
him, but he does not hear her; he is looking into May- 
belle's eyes. Jane shakes his arm a little, but still he 
does not notice. Then she sees that he is absorbed in 
looking at something, so she stands up to see what it is, 
and she sees Maybelle Sweet, and the Professor looking 
into her eyes. Then in her wrath she seizes the Pro- 
fessor and shakes him, so that he is compelled to look at 
her; and she hurls scornful words at him, and plucks the 
ring off her finger, and throws it at him, and stamps 
heavily away. 

But the Professor does not heed her. He picks up 
the ring and goes toward Maybelle^ holding it out to- 
ward her. She pats her hair and smooths her dress, and 
allows the Professor to put his arm around her, and the 
ring on her finger, and then he kisses her. Just as the 
Professor kisses Maybelle, Jane looks back and sees 
them, and she grinds her teeth and stamps her foot and 
vanishes, while the Professor and Maybelle walk slowly 
out of sight. 



New JuvenOe Entertainments 



A-B-C-Capers 

By Soemple. Here is an attractive and novel number 
for the Primary Grades or Kindergarten. Little Tim's 
despair in not beings able to master letters is turned 
to keen interest by the antics of the alphabet troupe. 
Plays about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. 

Emily's Dream 

By Mary Frix Kidd. This is the story of a Geogra- 
phy lesson, which, instead of being irksome, was, 
through the medium of a Good Fairy, made very in- 
teresting. This is done by presenting a Geographical 
Pageant. For a large number of children, who pre- 
sent drills, exercises, etc., in costumes of different 
nations. Time, about 1 hour. Price, 25c. 

The Love Flower 

By Bell Elliott Palmer. A very pretty exercise for 6 
or 10 girls and 1 boy. Suitable for Children's Day or 
Easter, and can be given either in or out of doors. 
Time, 10 minutes. Price, ISc. 

The Silver Sandals 

By Banche Thompson. Ths is a charming new play 
for 6 boys, 5 girls, fairies, peasants, attendants, etc. 
The Princess is downhearted and refuses to be con- 
soled. The fiddler plays, peasants do folk-dances, fai- 
ries drill, but not until she gets the silver sandals is 
she contented. Plays 1 hour or more. Price, 25c. 

When Betty Saw the Pilgrims 

By Margaret Howard. A pretty story showing how 
dissatisfied Betty v/as cured by her mother, who tells 
the story of the hardships of the Pilgrims, which is 
illustrated by ten tableaux. Large numbers of chil- 
dren can be used. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 
25c. 

Princess Rosy Cheeks 

By Effie Sammond Balph. A "good health" play for 
children, which is very impressive. Introduces Fresh 
Air Fairies, Soap and Water Fairies, Tooth Brush 
Brigade, Food Fairies, Rest Fairies, and others. Good- 
sized cast required with two older children. Plays 
about 1 hour. Price, 35c. 

Queen Loving Heart 

By Jean Ross. A splendid children's play, teaching 
many good lessons. A pretty story of the crowning of 
Loving Heart, her capture by the Indians and sub- 
sequent release, because of her kindness. Can be used 
for May Day play. 11 speaking parts, Indians, etc. 
Plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. 

Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



(f=L 



HALLOWE'EN HIURITY HINTS 

Good Things To Keep The Ball Rolling 

A Bunch of Stunts for Hallowe'en 

A new book of doings, contributed by many wide- 
awake writers. Covers almost any kind of festival, 
party or entertainment you wish to give. Drills, 
games, stunts, decorations, etc. Price, 75c. 

The Fairy and the Witch 

A 1-act allegorical sketch for Hallo^ve'en, by A. D. 
Nelson. 1 adult, male or female, and any number of 
children. In this very picturesque little play, the 
Black Witch of Hallowe'en falls under the spell of 
the White Fairy and superstition gives way to rea- 
son. Time, about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. 

The Frolic of the Witches 

By Juanita Mae Culp. This is a clever little drill es- 
pecially adapted for Hallowe'en. Introduces flash- 
lights and brooms, and is for 11 girls. Price, 25c. 

Guess Who Song and Drill 

Something novel. Price, 25c. 

The Haunted Gate 

By £dith Wormwood. A clever play for Hallowe'en. 
The capture of the ghosts furnishes a good climax to 
the play. 3 males, 7 females. Plays from 30 to 45 
minutes. Price, 35c. 

Jimmy's Ghosts 

By Cecil J. Richmond. A sketch for children. Five 
speaking parts with chorus of witches. Can easily be 
given in any school room. Price, 15c 

Scarecrows A -Roaming 

An eccentric drill. Price, 25c. 

What To Do on Hallowe'en 

Compiled by Juanita Mae Culp. This is a really good 
collection of helpful suggestions for this occasion. 
Suggestions for decorations, menus, parties, games, 
stunts, recipes, a play or two, and other good things. 
Purchasers will find themselves relieved from worry 
and trouble concerning Hallowe'en. Price, 40c. 

Fun With Fortune Telling 

Compiled by Mrs. G. L. Henson. Here is a book that 
will furnish fun and interest for any social gathering. 
Every one is interested in their "fortune" and this 
book is arranged to give you pleasure, either individ- 
ually or as a crowd. Price, 50c. 

Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



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Some Bright New 

Christmas Material 



First Aid to Santa 

By Ethel Sexton. A mighty bright playlet for 3 boys, 
2 girls and 10 acting dolls (girls and boys). Plays 30 
or 40 minutes. Price, 25c. 

The Christinas Chain 

By Lillian Pearson. A pretty sketch for 14 or more 
children. The Christmas Angel shows her complete 
Christmas Chain to two selfish sisters with happy re- 
sults. Plays about 20 minutes. Price 25c. 

How the Christmas Song Was Found 

3y Lillian Pearson. A simple, but beautiful sketc!' 
for any number of children, 12 required. Shows the 
real spirit of Christmas and tells how the glad 
Christmas song was found. Time, 20 to 30 minutes. 
For day schools or church entertainments. Price 25c. 

Mr. Richey Changes His Mind 

By Lee Owen Snook. Story of a crabbed, wealthy 
employer and how at Christmas time the memory of 
his mother changed his attitude toward his employes 
from that of a "driver" to a considerate comrade. An 
unexpected romance develops. 4 males, 4 females, 
and others, either high school or adults. Plays about 
20 minutes. Price, 25c. 

The Little Stranger 

A moving picture Christmas play, I;- Edna Randolph 
Worrell. This is really a pantomirrto, the different 
scenes being eithar announced or show;i c r> screen by 
stereopticon. 4 scenes "The Night Before Christ- 
mas Home of Orphan Children," "The Little Stran- 
ger at the Door," "The Little Stranger Entertains," 
"Christmas Morning." A pretty entertainm3nt for 
any number of children. Plays about 30 minutes. 25c. 

Ten Good Christmas Pantoniin:ies 

By Ethel Eldridge. A collection that "will add novelty 
and effectiveness to your program. Specific direc- 
tions for pantomiming some well-known hymns, songs 
and recitations — "Silent Night," ."Little Town of 
Bethlehem," "When Good Old Kris Comes 'Round," 
"Favorite Carols," etc. Contains the music also. 40c. 



Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. Logan St. 



New Song-Recitations 



HERE is a list of very clever child- 
impersonations or good encores 
for children. The lines are by 
Margaret Fassitt, the music by Anna 
and Harry C. Eldridge. They will 
be winners on your program. 



Ain't It The limit? ) ._ 

When You Ask About Your Fixins I soc 



Both in 

one 
number 



It Santa Shouldn't Come To Mel _ 
I've Been And Had The Measles ) "soc 



Both in 

one 
number 



I Wish I Had A Ginger-cake ) 
Our Twins ) soc 



Both in 

one 
number 



Both in 

one 
number 



When Grandpop Was A Boy ) 
When Daddy Took Me Up y .„ 
In A 'Plane J 

Eldridge Entertainment House 

FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 

944 S. L»g*u St. 



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